Murder in a Small Town
Encyclopedia
Murder in a Small Town is a mystery produced by, and originally aired on, the A&E Network
. The film stars Gene Wilder
(who also co-wrote the screenplay) as Larry "Cash" Carter, a stage director, theater manager, former actor, and unofficial consulting detective for the police department in 1930s Stamford, Connecticut
.
) has arguments with his son Albert (whom he threatens to remove from his will, if Albert doesn't leave his current lover), his wife Martha (who reveals that she knows that Sidney is unfaithful, and unsuccessfully tries to seduce him), and his secretary, Kate Faxton (who wants him to reconcile with Albert).
After the argument with Ms. Faxton, Mr. Lasseter meets with Carter, who is there to ask for a donation to the theater; Mr. Lasseter responds with unreasonable demands in exchange for his donation, as well as a few subtley bigoted comments about the fact that Carter is a Jew. Carter, despite his own best interest, calls Mr. Lasseter an anti-Semite and storms out of the office.
That night, Mr. Lasseter is surprised in his car by a stranger who had hidden in the back seat; the stranger fatally shoots Mr. Lasseter.
The next day, the detective in charge of the case, Lieutenant Tony "Baloney" Rossini (Mike Starr
), informs Cash that Mr. Lasseter has been murdered, and that there is a long list of suspects, due to Mr. Lasseter's temper and penchant for making enemies. Cash agrees to accompany Tony when they go to meet Albert, Martha, and Kate, who are all beneficiaries of Mr. Lasseter's will, and thus at the top of the suspect list.
While interviewing Mrs. Lasseter, Cash explains that his experience in theater has made him an expert on both observation and human psychology, both of which are helpful in police investigation; he demonstrates this by noting that, due to the muscle tone in her legs, the scuff marks on the soles of her shoes, and the lack of calluses on her hands, Mrs. Lasseter is faking the need for a wheelchair.
After interviewing all three top suspects, Cash and Tony conclude that they are all lying about something, but cannot conclude which, if any of them, is responsible for Mr. Lasseter's murder.
Scenes of the investigation are intercut with scenes from Cash's personal life, as he dates Mimi Barnes (Cherry Jones
) and copes with the fact that his daughter Sophie (Elisabeth Rosen) is leaving for college.
We also learn how Cash and Tony met, when Tony was assigned to investigate the (still unsolved) murder of Cash's wife; Cash and his wife had been accosted by two thieves who shot Cash's wife while trying to steal her necklace; only one of the thieves was caught, although Tony has sworn to one day find the other. A scene in a restaurant, in which Cash mistakes a random man for the other thief, hints that Cash is still haunted by the murder.
for Best Television Feature or Miniseries in 2000.
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
. The film stars Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder is an American stage and screen actor, director, screenwriter, and author.Wilder began his career on stage, making his screen debut in the film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. His first major role was as Leopold Bloom in the 1968 film The Producers...
(who also co-wrote the screenplay) as Larry "Cash" Carter, a stage director, theater manager, former actor, and unofficial consulting detective for the police department in 1930s Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
.
Plot
The film opens with a series of scenes in which local millionaire Sidney Lasseter (Terry O'QuinnTerry O'Quinn
Terry O'Quinn is an American actor, most famous for playing John Locke on the TV series Lost. He made his debut in a 1980 television movie called F.D.R.: The Last Year. Since then, O'Quinn has had minor supporting roles in films and TV movies such as Young Guns, All the Right Moves, Silver Bullet,...
) has arguments with his son Albert (whom he threatens to remove from his will, if Albert doesn't leave his current lover), his wife Martha (who reveals that she knows that Sidney is unfaithful, and unsuccessfully tries to seduce him), and his secretary, Kate Faxton (who wants him to reconcile with Albert).
After the argument with Ms. Faxton, Mr. Lasseter meets with Carter, who is there to ask for a donation to the theater; Mr. Lasseter responds with unreasonable demands in exchange for his donation, as well as a few subtley bigoted comments about the fact that Carter is a Jew. Carter, despite his own best interest, calls Mr. Lasseter an anti-Semite and storms out of the office.
That night, Mr. Lasseter is surprised in his car by a stranger who had hidden in the back seat; the stranger fatally shoots Mr. Lasseter.
The next day, the detective in charge of the case, Lieutenant Tony "Baloney" Rossini (Mike Starr
Mike Starr (actor)
Michael "Mike" Starr is an American actor. Starr is notable for his large size, standing 6 ft 3 1/2 in , and has typically been typecast as thugs or henchmen....
), informs Cash that Mr. Lasseter has been murdered, and that there is a long list of suspects, due to Mr. Lasseter's temper and penchant for making enemies. Cash agrees to accompany Tony when they go to meet Albert, Martha, and Kate, who are all beneficiaries of Mr. Lasseter's will, and thus at the top of the suspect list.
While interviewing Mrs. Lasseter, Cash explains that his experience in theater has made him an expert on both observation and human psychology, both of which are helpful in police investigation; he demonstrates this by noting that, due to the muscle tone in her legs, the scuff marks on the soles of her shoes, and the lack of calluses on her hands, Mrs. Lasseter is faking the need for a wheelchair.
After interviewing all three top suspects, Cash and Tony conclude that they are all lying about something, but cannot conclude which, if any of them, is responsible for Mr. Lasseter's murder.
Scenes of the investigation are intercut with scenes from Cash's personal life, as he dates Mimi Barnes (Cherry Jones
Cherry Jones
Cherry Jones is an American actress and recipient of the 2009 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series and the 2005 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.-Career:...
) and copes with the fact that his daughter Sophie (Elisabeth Rosen) is leaving for college.
We also learn how Cash and Tony met, when Tony was assigned to investigate the (still unsolved) murder of Cash's wife; Cash and his wife had been accosted by two thieves who shot Cash's wife while trying to steal her necklace; only one of the thieves was caught, although Tony has sworn to one day find the other. A scene in a restaurant, in which Cash mistakes a random man for the other thief, hints that Cash is still haunted by the murder.
Reception
Murder in a Small Town was nominated for an Edgar AwardEdgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
for Best Television Feature or Miniseries in 2000.